Media Release

AB121, “Lead in Candy” bill awaits Governor’s signature
California , one step away from victory against lead-tainted Candy

(September 8th, 2005)- On Tuesday September 6 th AB 121, a bill authored by Assemblyman Juan Vargas, D-San Diego, passed the State Assembly and is now awaiting the Governor’s signature.

AB121 will effectively take out the lead in contaminated candies that are coming in from other countries, but mostly from Mexico. Among its provisions, it requires testing of candies that include ingredients such as chili and tamarind for high levels of lead.

Environmental Health Coalition’s Leticia Ayala, has been working on getting lead out of children’s environments and specifically out of candy for the last 4 years. “If we have taken the lead out of paint and out of gasoline because they adversely affect our health, then it is only natural that we get the lead out of candy that children eat.”

Ayala continues “The Governor must realize that children are more vulnerable than adults to the harmful effects of lead. It has been proven that these candies contain dangerous levels of lead; parents and children demanded that candies be safe from lead contamination and the state legislature responded in force. Now it’s up to the Governor to do the right thing!”

This bill is the first of its kind nation wide. Other states are also working on similar regulations as this problem extends far beyond California.

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